Ireland's international football consultant Robson launched into a vigorous defence of the previously under-pressure Staunton as he joined the 38-year-old in the post-match media conference.

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Kevin Doyle's 12th-minute headed winner was enough to give Ireland the victory, and allow Staunton to head into the summer with his job safe for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.

This was Ireland's fourth successive group win, a feat achieved on just three previous occasions in their history when they went on to qualify for the 1990, 1994 and 2002 World Cups.

Although it is another six months to their next competitive match, they remain firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish in Group D, and with it a place in next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria.

Former England manager Robson made clear his displeasure at the treatment Staunton has received in recent weeks since the great escape in San Marino, and over the past few days following the lacklustre 1-0 win over Wales.

"I rang Stan at two o'clock this afternoon and said to him 'win, lose or draw, we go into the press conference together'," stated 74-year-old Robson.

"Seeing some of the outrageous remarks and the writing over the last few days, this could have been an horrific night for Stan if we had lost, so I felt I should stand by him.

"But we haven't lost. Now let's hope we've six months of calmness, some sensibility, something constructive, intelligent, fair and reasonable."

Robson, repeatedly jabbing the table in front of him, added: "He has had a rough ride.

"Hopefully that's over now and things will settle down because we've put ourselves in a great position to attack the next few matches.

"Hopefully he gets a bit of relief. The stay of execution is over and he can now live a life. I'm delighted for him."

Underlining the task Staunton has had to face since taking over from predecessor Brian Kerr, Robson said: "We've a lot of youngsters in the team.

"We're in transition - (Shane) Long, Doyle and (Stephen) Hunt, while on the bench we've (Anthony) Stokes and (Jonathan) Douglas.

"So the team needs time to gain experience, and I'm talking about Premiership experience, not just international experience."

Echoing Robson's sentiments, Staunton said: "I thought we did well, but there is room for improvement, and they will improve.

"But as Bobby said, they are young players. The young lads are learning, although they've had a taste, and there weren't too many grounds with 70,00 fans tonight."

Doyle's strike saw him nod down a Damien Duff free-kick for his second goal at international level.

As against Wales, the Republic were much the better team in the opening half, only to struggle in the second as they continually lost possession and gave the ball away in key areas.

Defensively, though, Staunton's side were superb as Shay Given - captain for the night and winning his 80th cap to equal Packie Bonner's record for an Ireland goalkeeper - was rarely tested.

"We went at them, kept the tempo high, Duff put some great little crosses in, and we scored when we were on top," assessed Staunton.

"If we hadn't have done that then we might have struggled second half, but we had something to hang onto.

"At this level you are never going to dominate the game for 90 minutes, and when they got on top, our back four and keeper were magnificent.